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Faux Wood That’s Just as Beautiful as the Real Thing — But Better

Love the look of natural wood? These look-alike products are tougher, stronger, water-resistant, often cheaper, and just as beautiful as the real thing.

Siding made with cement and other inert binders is tougher, more fire-resistant, and requires a lot less maintenance than wood. Fiber-cement siding is textured to look like real wood, but the material is much more stable — it won’t contract and expand with changes in humidity (like wood), which helps exterior paint jobs last longer. You’ll pay $6 to $11 per square foot for fiber-cement siding, installed.

Faux Wood That’s Just as Beautiful as the Real Thing — But BetterFireproof "Wood"

For centuries, thick wood shingles (called shakes) have been the mark of quality construction. But shakes require regular maintenance, and their susceptibility to fire has diminished their use — some municipalities have even outlawed them. Look-alike products, such as these steel shingles, emulate the classic look of real wood yet offer maintenance-free durability and protection from fire. Interlocking steel shingles cost $4 to $8 per square foot, installed; up to $15 per square foot for steep, complex roofs.

Faux Wood That’s Just as Beautiful as the Real Thing — But BetterCabin Culture

Like the look of a backwoods retreat but prefer to live in the suburbs? Scrubbable, peelable wallpaper looks like chinked logs but without the Davy Crockett lifestyle (and the termites). The vinyl wallpaper is textured to enhance the look of real wood. You can get a 28-square-foot roll of pre-pasted paper for $35.99. Timber!

Faux Wood That’s Just as Beautiful as the Real Thing — But BetterClassy Counter

Humble laminate countertops get a regal upgrade when made to look like rich black walnut — laminates use photo copies of real wood to reproduce color and grain patterns. High-tech edge finishes eliminate the seam lines that used to plague laminate countertops, completing the deception. Cost: $25 to $50 per square foot, including labor.

Faux Wood That’s Just as Beautiful as the Real Thing — But BetterCeramic Tile

Ceramic tile with the look of real wood combines the best of both worlds — the toughness and waterproof properties of tile with beautiful natural grain patterns. Here, digital reproduction gives these copycat ceramic floor tiles the color and character of aged wine barrels. The tile is $2 to $15 per square foot; installation adds another $5 to $10 per square foot.

Faux Wood That’s Just as Beautiful as the Real Thing — But BetterLaminate Flooring

Low-maintenance laminate flooring comes in many colors and grain patterns. The top layer isn’t actual wood but a digital photo under a tough, clear plastic coating. Typically, laminate planks are floating floor systems that install right over old flooring without glue or nails, making them a good DIY project. Laminates cost $1 to $8 per square foot; pro installation adds $2 to $5 per square foot.

Faux Wood That’s Just as Beautiful as the Real Thing — But BetterElegant Garage Doors

Molded fiberglass garage doors capture the beauty of old-time carriage doors — without the warping and discoloration of real wood. Digital reproductions of grain patterns make fiberglass doors look like oak, cherry, mahogany, and many other woods. Although fiberglass garage doors cost about the same as real wood ($1,000 to $3,000 for a single-car door), you’ll spend a lot less time with upkeep and periodic maintenance.